Method of collecting one or more tissue specimens

ABSTRACT

A method of collecting one or more tissue specimens in a tissue biopsy system includes: providing a housing with a releasable proximal housing portion having an input port, a vacuum port, an interior, and a tissue specimen retaining member within the interior interposed between the input port and the vacuum port, the interior being in fluid communication with the inner lumen of an elongated tissue cutter, the tissue specimen retaining member having a plurality of openings configured to retain the one or more tissue specimens and to pass fluid and debris; inserting the proximal end of the elongated cutting member through the input port of the releasable proximal housing portion to position the proximal end in the interior above the plurality of openings of the tissue specimen retaining member; applying a vacuum to the vacuum port; and cutting a tissue specimen from a tissue site with the elongated tissue cutter.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/683,890, filed Nov. 21, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,864, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/980,298, filed Oct. 30, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,725, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/498,504, filed Aug. 3, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,236, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/197,827 filed Aug. 5, 2005, now abandoned, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tissue removing devices such as biopsy devices and the methods of using such devices. More specifically, it is directed to an improved biopsy or other tissue removing device and method of using the device which includes flushing one or more specimens with suitable fluid within a tissue collector to remove blood, debris and the like from the specimen(s).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In diagnosing and treating certain medical conditions, such as potentially cancerous tumors, it is usually desirable to perform a biopsy, in which a specimen of the suspicious tissue is removed for pathological examination and analysis. In many instances, the suspicious tissue is located in a subcutaneous site, such as inside a human breast. To minimize surgical intrusion into the patient's body, it is desirable to be able to insert a small instrument into the patient's body to access the targeted site and to extract the biopsy specimen therefrom.

A variety of tissue collecting components have been proposed for biopsy devices but they have not always been easy for the physician or other operating room personnel to separate or remove the specimen from the device. Needle like tip designs have been developed to aid in the accessing of intracorporeal sites for biopsy and other procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a system and method for collecting one or more severed tissue specimens from a target site which includes the application of a fluid such as saline to one or more collected tissue specimens. The fluid may be applied to the one or more tissue specimens to flush blood and other debris from the one or more collected tissue specimens and/or to apply one or more agents to the collected tissue specimens. The tissue specimens are preferably collected within a tissue collector associated with a biopsy system. The fluid is preferably applied to at least one tissue specimen after it has been collected within the tissue collector but fluid may be applied as the tissue is delivered into the tissue collector. A vacuum may be generated within the tissue collector to remove the fluid from the specimens. The tissue collector component is preferably part of the biopsy system and easily removable therefrom so that the specimens may be removed without interfering with the position of the biopsy device.

A biopsy system having the tissue collection and fluid applying features of the invention generally include an elongated, preferably disposable probe component having an elongated tubular shaft, an elongated cutting member within the inner lumen of the elongated tubular shaft, a proximal housing that is secured to the proximal portion of the elongated tubular shaft and a tissue collector secured to the proximal housing in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the cutting member. The tissue cutter has a distal cutting edge to separate a tissue specimen from supporting tissue at an intracorporeal target site, an inner lumen to withdraw one or more tissue specimens and a proximal end with a discharge port which is configured to discharge specimens into the interior of the tissue collector.

A fluid delivery conduit extends from a source of fluid and opens to the interior of the tissue collector to deliver fluid to one or more specimens in the interior of the tissue collector. Preferably the fluid delivery conduit has a valve to control the fluid flow therethrough so as to sequence the flow of fluid to the interior of the tissue collector after the delivery of a tissue specimen. The fluid is preferably sprayed onto the specimens, for example by one or more spray heads or nozzles that may be provided. A controller may be provided to control the operation of the valve in the fluid delivery conduit to control fluid flow thereto.

A vacuum conduit may extend from a lower portion of the tissue collector to generate a vacuum within the interior of the tissue collector to aid in the aspiration of fluid and debris from the specimens. The vacuum within the tissue collector interior may also be employed to facilitate aspiration of one or more tissue specimens through the inner lumen of the tubular cutter. The vacuum conduit preferably leads to a waste container which captures the waste (fluid and debris) from the interior of the tissue collector. Preferably, a second vacuum conduit leads from the waste container to a vacuum source such as a vacuum pump which maintains a vacuum within the waste container. A controller may be utilized to control the operation of the vacuum pump to control the level of vacuum in the waste container and the interior of the tissue collector. The controller controlling the vacuum pump may be the same controller controlling the fluid control valve referred to above.

A suitable biopsy device which may be utilized with specimen flushing features of the invention is described in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/014,413, filed on Dec. 16, 2004. The housing on the proximal end of the probe has driving elements for the tissue cutter and other operative elements such as described in the aforesaid co-pending application which is incorporated herein by reference.

The elongated probe component preferably has a distal shaft portion with a tissue penetrating distal tip, a tubular section proximal to the distal tip, an inner lumen extending within the tubular section and an open, tissue receiving aperture in the tubular section proximal to the distal tip which provides access to tissue at the targeted site. The probe component includes an elongated tissue-cutting member, which is preferably at least in part cylindrically shaped and slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tubular section. The tissue cutting member is provided with at least one tissue cutting edge on its distal portion which is configured to sever tissue extending into the interior of the tubular section through the aperture thereof. The cutting edge on the tissue cutting member may be configured for longitudinal cutting movement and may include oscillating rotational motion and/or reciprocating longitudinal motion to sever specimen tissue extending through the aperture from supporting tissue at the targeted site. The cutting edges are radially spaced from a longitudinal axis of the probe component and are preferably transversely oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the probe component. The tissue cutter is preferably slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tubular section, although it may be disposed about the tubular section. The probe component may also have a handle which releasably engages a driver component as described in the above referenced application.

The tissue cutting member has an inner lumen preferably extending to a discharge port in the proximal end thereof for tissue specimen removal. While mechanical withdrawal of the tissue specimen may be employed, it is preferred to provide a vacuum within the cutting member from the proximal end of the cutting member (via the tissue collector interior) to aspirate the severed tissue specimen through the inner lumen of the cutting member to a tissue collection station. A higher fluid pressure may be maintained in the inner lumen of the cutting member distal to the tissue specimen to aid in transporting the specimen proximally through the inner lumen. In this manner, the mechanical withdrawal and/or the vacuum on the proximal end of the specimen and a higher pressure on the distal end of the specimen can move the specimen through the inner lumen of the cutting member to the tissue collector station.

In at least one embodiment described in the above mentioned application, the handle of the probe component is secured, preferably releasably secured, to the driver provided to interconnect the various operative elements of the probe with operative elements of the driver component. The tissue cutting member is operatively connected to at least one driver to provide the desired cutting motion. The proximal end of the tubular section of the probe component is fixed within the handle housing so that the orientation thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis and therefore the orientation of the tissue receiving aperture within the tubular section, can be selected by rotation of the handle housing with respect to the driver component. The orientation of the aperture may be selected manually such as described in copending application Ser. No. 10/642,406, filed February Aug. 15, 2003 or it may be preset or selected electronically by a control module which also controls the operation of the cutting member and electrical power such as described in copending application Ser. No. 11/014,413, filed Dec. 16, 2004. The aperture orientation setting may be selected before or after the tubular section of the probe component is inserted into the patient.

A method of collecting one or more severed tissue specimens with a tissue collection device embodying features of the invention includes advancing a biopsy or other tissue removal system having such a tissue collecting device at least partially into tissue at a desired site within the patient's body with the tissue penetrating distal tip of the outer cannula disposed distal to the tissue specimen to be separated from the target site. A vacuum is established within the inner lumen of the tubular section to draw tissue through the aperture therein into the inner lumen of the tubular section. The cutting member, which is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tubular section, may then be moved, e.g. longitudinally, to cut a tissue specimen from supporting tissue at the target site by such cutter motion. The cutter motion preferably includes oscillating rotational movement and/or reciprocating longitudinal movement. The vacuum established within the inner lumen of the tubular section may be applied through the inner lumen of the tissue cutting member when the tissue cutting member is disposed within the tubular section. The applied vacuum within the inner lumen of the tissue cutting member from the vacuum of the tissue collector interior, may also be utilized to pull or aspirate the separated tissue sample proximally. In addition, or alternatively, a higher fluid pressure may be maintained in a distal part of the inner lumen of the tubular section, distal to the specimen, to push the tissue specimen proximally, Alternatively, the tissue specimen may be mechanically withdrawn. Fluid pressure may include pressure from a liquid delivered into the interior of the device, such as a physiological saline solution, and may include a gas, such as pressurized carbon dioxide, nitrogen or air, delivered into the interior of the device. Access to ambient air can also maintain a sufficiently high pressure differential to move the specimen through the inner lumen of the cutting member. Anesthetic may be injected to the target site through the outer cannula or the inner lumen of the cutting member.

The one or more tissue specimens are discharged into the interior of the tissue collector and preferably onto a tray provided therefore in the interior. The tray preferably has one or more openings which allow for drainage from the specimens on the tray. Irrigation (or other) fluid is applied to one or more specimens to remove blood or other debris. The periphery of the tissue collection tray is sealed within the interior of the tissue collector so that vacuum generated beneath the tray will aspirate fluid and debris from specimens on the tray to a vacuum conduit opening beneath the collector tray. The application of the irrigation fluid is preferably controlled to sequence after one or more tissue specimens are discharged onto the tissue collector tray from the discharge port in the proximal end of the tissue cutter. The fluid may contain or be a treating agent suitable for the subsequent evaluation of the specimens.

Upon removal from the patient, the tissue specimen may then be subjected to pathological examination. After acquisition of a tissue specimen or specimens, the tissue separation system may be repositioned for further tissue separation and collection or it may be withdrawn from the patient.

These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying exemplary drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a biopsy system having a tissue specimen collector with flush and aspiration that embodies features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the elongated tissue biopsy system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in an assembled condition without a cover for the probe component.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the tissue biopsy system shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is a transverse cross-sectional view of the probe component taken along the lines 4A-4A shown in FIG. 4

FIG. 5A is a perspective view, with exterior portions partially in phantom, of a tissue collector shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along lines 5B-5B shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the tissue receiving tray shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is an exploded perspective view of tissue collector shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E is an end view in perspective of the tissue collector shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view, with exterior portions partially in phantom, of a modified tissue collector.

FIG. 6B is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along lines 6B-6B shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a transverse cross-sectional view of the tissue receiving tray shown in FIG. 6B taken along the lines 6C-6C.

FIG. 6D is an end view of the tissue collector shown in FIG. 6B taken along the lines 6D-6D.

FIG. 6E is a transverse cross-sectional view of the tissue collector shown in FIG. 6B taken along the lines 6E-6E.

FIG. 6F is an exploded perspective view of tissue collector shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6G is an end view in perspective of the tissue collector shown in FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a biopsy system 10 embodying features of the invention. The system 10 includes a probe component 11 with an elongated tubular section 12, a proximal housing 13 and a tissue specimen collector 14 attached to the proximal housing. A first conduit 15 extends from fluid source 16 to the proximal end of the tissue collector 14 to deliver fluid to tissue specimens in the interior of the collector. A valve 17 is provided to control the fluid flow through the first conduit 15. A second conduit 18 extends to the tissue specimen collector 14 for application of a vacuum to the interior of the tissue specimen collector to aspirate fluid applied to one or more severed tissue specimens within the specimen collector. The second conduit 18 directs the aspirated fluid and debris to waste container 20. A third conduit 21 extends from the waste container 20 to a vacuum pump 22 which provides vacuum to the waste container and ultimately to the interior of the tissue specimen collector 14. The operation of the valve 17 in the fluid delivery conduit 15 and the vacuum pump 22 connected to the third conduit 21 may be controlled by controller 23.

FIGS. 2-5A-E illustrate the biopsy device 24 of the system 10 in further detail. The probe component 11 generally includes an elongated tubular section or cannula 12 with a tissue penetrating tip 25 on the distal end thereof and an open, tissue receiving aperture 26 proximally adjacent to the distal tip. The probe component 11 also includes a proximal housing 13 which contains the driving mechanisms for the various elements of the probe component. Probe housing cover 27 is configured to interfit with the driver component 28 so as to enclose the proximal housing 13 of the probe component 11. A tissue cutter 30 is slidably disposed within the probe component 11 and has a distal cutting edge 31 which severs tissue that extends through the tissue receiving aperture 26. An inner lumen 32 extends through the tissue cutter 30 to the tissue discharge port 33 in a proximal portion of the tissue cutter which discharges tissue specimen into the interior 34 of the tissue collector 14. The tissue discharge port 33 is preferably located at the proximal end of the tissue cutter 30.

The details of driver component 28 and the interaction between the driver component and the probe component 11 can be found in the above mentioned application Ser. No. 11/014,413.

The tissue specimen collector 14 (shown in more detail in FIGS. 5A-5E) is secured to the proximal end of the housing 13 of probe component 11 and has an interior 34 in fluid communication with the inner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 through tissue discharge port 33. The tissue specimen collector 14 has a distal wall portion 14-2 with a cannula receiving opening 14-1 through which the tissue cutter 30 extends when the tissue biopsy system is assembled. The interior 34 of the specimen collector 14 has a specimen receiving basket or tray 35, preferably removable, which is configured to receive tissue specimens from the discharge port 33 which may have been drawn therein. The tray 35 (e.g. a removable tissue specimen retaining member) may have a grated portion 36 (or foraminous or is otherwise provided with a plurality of openings) to provide fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 37 provided under the tray. A vacuum is generated within the interior 34 by the vacuum within the vacuum chamber 37 to draw tissue specimens through the inner lumen 32 of the cutter 30 into the interior 34 of the tissue collector 14 and toward the floor 34-1 of the interior 34 of the tissue specimen collector 14. The second vacuum conduit 18 has a distal end which is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 37 through the vacuum opening 37-1, and has a proximal end which is configured to be connected to a waste container 20. Alternatively, the second vacuum conduit 18 may be directly connected to a vacuum source such as vacuum pump 22. The cannula receiving opening 14-1 is spaced apart from the vacuum opening 37-1 in a first direction 29A by an intermediate portion, which is located between the distal wall portion 14-2 and the proximal wall portion 14-3. The cannula receiving opening 14-1 is spaced apart from the vacuum opening 37-1 in a second direction 29B orthogonal to the first direction 29A. An intermediate portion 14-4 is located between the distal wall portion 14-2 and the proximal wall portion 14-3. The vacuum opening 37-1 is on a first axis 18-1, and the cannula receiving opening 14-1 is on a second axis 30-1. The first axis 18-1 and the second axis 30-1 are spaced apart, and the removable tissue specimen retaining member 35 is positioned between the first axis 18-1 and the second axis 30-1. The removable tissue specimen retaining member 35 is concave in a third direction 29C from the cannula receiving opening 14-1 toward the vacuum opening 37-1.

Application of a vacuum within the tubular section 12 aids in pulling tissue into the interior thereof through the tissue receiving aperture 26 and the transfer of the severed tissue specimen through the inner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 and the deployment of the specimen onto the collection tray 35 within the tissue collector 14. Preferably, the vacuum is applied under the tray 35 in vacuum chamber 37 to facilitate removal of fluid and/or debris from the one or more specimens that may be on the upper surface of tray 35.

Fluid delivery conduit 15 has a spray head 38 which discharges into the interior 34 over the tray 35 so as to spray fluid onto one or more specimens located on the tray. The low pressures in the vacuum chamber 37 under the tray 35 aspirates fluid and debris through the openings of grated portion 36 of the tray. Fluids include blood from the specimen and fluids injected or sprayed into the chamber 34 of the tissue collector 14 through the spray head 38. The size of the debris aspirated into the vacuum chamber is limited for the most part by the size of the openings in grated portion 36. Preferably, the delivery of flushing fluid to the chamber 34 is controlled to sequence after aspiration of one or more tissue specimens onto the tray 35. Saline is a suitable fluid, but other fluids may be used. A variety of agents, such as thrombolytic agents, e.g heparin, may be incorporated into the fluid to break up thrombus which may have formed on the specimen. Treatment fluids may also be employed for the subsequent examination of the one or more specimens.

The tissue penetrating distal tip 25 may have a variety of tip shapes. Particularly suitable distal tips are disclosed in the above mentioned co-pending application Ser. No. 11/014,413.

In use, the distal end of the probe component 11 is advanced within the patient with the tissue cutter 30 in a forward position to close off the tissue receiving aperture 26 of the tubular section 12 until the aperture is located in a desired location within the patient for taking a tissue specimen. The tissue cutter 30 is then withdrawn proximally to an open position to open up the aperture 26. The withdrawal of the tissue cutter 30 can be used to control the length of the aperture which is opened in order to control the length of the specimen which is drawn into the interior of the tubular section 12 and severed from supporting tissue. A vacuum is applied to the inner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 through the interior 34 of the tissue collector 14 to draw tissue at the site into the inner lumen of the tubular section 12 through the aperture 26. The tissue cutter 30 is then driven distally and rotated or oscillated to sever the aspirated tissue specimen from the supporting tissue at the target site with the tissue cutting edge 31. The vacuum within the inner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 aids or causes the severed tissue specimen to be drawn through the inner lumen of the tissue cutter and into the interior 34 of specimen collector 14. Positive pressure or even ambient conditions distal to the tissue specimen in the lumen 32 can help tissue specimen passage through the inner lumen to the discharge port 33 of the tissue cutter 30. If another tissue specimen is desired, the tubular section 12 may be rotated in one or more steps to move the aperture 26 to another location and repeat obtaining another tissue specimen in the same manner without otherwise moving the biopsy device 24. Typically, tissue specimens are obtained sequentially with the aperture 26 of the probe 11 in the 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 o-clock positions and then in the 1 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 o-clock positions. Other sequences for obtaining tissue specimens may be employed. The position of the aperture 26 may be indicated by a marker arrow 39 at the distal end cap 40 (FIG. 2) of proximal housing 13 so that the physician or other operating personnel can readily determine what the orientation of the aperture 26 within the patient. The biopsy system 10 may be hand held for some biopsy procedures or the system may be mounted on a stereotactic mounting stage such as a shoe that is slidably mounted to a rail of a Fischer or Lorad stage as discussed in the above mentioned application Ser. No. 11/014,413.

Fluid from a source 16 may be delivered through first conduit 15 to the interior 34 of tissue collector 14 and sprayed onto the one or more specimens on the grated portion of the tray 35. Vacuum generated in the vacuum chamber 37 under the tray 35 aspirates fluid and small dimensioned debris through the grated openings of the tray into the vacuum chamber 37. Fluid and debris are aspirated from vacuum chamber 37 through second conduit 18 into the waste container 20. Third conduit 21 maintains vacuum conditions in the interior of waste container 20 by the vacuum pump 22.

An alternative tissue specimen collector 114 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6A-6G) which is secured to the proximal end of the housing 13 of probe component 11 and has an interior 134 in fluid communication with the inner lumen 32 of the tissue cutter 30 through tissue discharge port 33. The interior 134 of the specimen collector 114 has a specimen receiving basket or tray 135, preferably removable, which is configured to receive tissue specimens from the discharge port 33 which may have been drawn therein. The tray 135 has a grated portion 136 (or foraminous or is otherwise provided with a plurality of openings) to provide fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 137 provided under the tray. A vacuum is generated within the interior 134 by the vacuum within the vacuum chamber 137 to draw tissue specimens through the inner lumen 32 of the cutter 30 into the interior 134 of the tissue collector 114. The vacuum conduit 118 has a distal end which is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 137 and has a proximal end which is configured to be connected to a waste container 20. Alternatively, the vacuum conduit 115 may be directly connected to a vacuum source such as vacuum pump 22 as shown in FIG. 1.

Fluid delivery conduit 115 has a spray head 138 which discharges into the interior 134 over the tray 135 so as to spray fluid onto one or more specimens located on the tray. The low pressures in the vacuum chamber 137 under the tray 135 aspirates fluid and debris through the openings of grated portion 136 of the tray. Fluids include blood from the specimen and fluids injected or sprayed into the chamber 134 of the tissue collector 114 through the spray head 138, shown in detail in FIGS. 6B and 6C. The size of the debris aspirated into the vacuum chamber is limited for the most part by the size of the openings in grated portion 136. Preferably, the delivery of flushing fluid to the chamber 134 is controlled to sequence after aspiration of one or more tissue specimens onto the tray 135.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent that various modifications and improvements can be made to the invention. For example, while the various embodiments of the invention have been described herein in terms of a biopsy device, it should be apparent that the tissue collector may be employed to remove tissue for purposes other than for biopsy, i.e. for treatment or other diagnoses. Alternatively, the tissue cutting element may be on the exterior of the probe device and the tubular component having the tissue receiving opening in the distal end may be disposed within the tissue cutting element. In the latter alternative embodiment, the tissue specimen may be transported through the tubular component having the tissue receiving opening.

Individual features of embodiments having features of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, but those skilled in the art will recognize that individual features of one embodiment can be combined with any or all the features of another embodiment. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated.

Terms such a “element”, “member”, “device”, “section”, “component”, “portion”, “means”, “step” and words of similar import, when used in the following claims, shall not be construed as invoking the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(6) unless the claims expressly use the term “means” followed by a particular function without specific structure or the term “step” or “steps” followed by a particular function without specific action.

All patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of collecting one or more tissue specimens in a tissue biopsy system having a housing and an elongated tissue cutting member coupled to the housing, the elongated cutting member having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the method comprising: providing a tissue specimen collector with a cannula receiving opening, a vacuum opening, and an interior, the vacuum opening being on a first axis, the cannula receiving opening being on a second axis; providing a removable tissue specimen retaining member within the interior of the tissue specimen collector, the removable tissue specimen retaining member having a plurality of openings configured to retain the one or more tissue specimens and to pass fluid, the plurality of openings being interposed between the first axis of the vacuum opening and the second axis of the cannula receiving opening; positioning the elongated cutting member through the cannula receiving opening of the tissue specimen collector to position the proximal end of the elongated cutting member in the interior above the plurality of openings of the removable tissue specimen retaining member; cutting a tissue specimen from a patient with the elongated tissue cutting member; providing a vacuum at the vacuum opening of the tissue specimen collector, and in turn applying the vacuum to the proximal end of the tissue cutting member via the interior of the tissue specimen collector, to draw the tissue specimen through the inner lumen of the elongated tissue cutting member and out of the proximal end of the elongated tissue cutting member to deposit the tissue specimen onto the removable tissue specimen retaining member; and moving the removable tissue specimen retaining member along the second axis to remove the removable tissue specimen retaining member to facilitate removal of the one or more tissue specimens from the removable tissue specimen retaining member.
 2. A method of collecting one or more tissue specimens in a tissue biopsy system having a housing and an elongated tissue cutter coupled to the housing, the elongated tissue cutter having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, comprising: providing a tissue specimen collector for attachment with the housing, the tissue specimen collector having a distal wall portion having a cannula receiving opening, a proximal wall portion having a vacuum opening, a floor, and an intermediate portion located between the distal wall portion and the proximal wall portion, the cannula receiving opening being spaced apart from the vacuum opening in a first direction by the intermediate portion, and the cannula receiving opening being spaced apart from the vacuum opening in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; providing a removable tissue receiving tray within the tissue specimen collector, the removable tissue receiving tray having a plurality of openings configured to retain the one or more tissue specimens and to pass fluid, the plurality of openings are spaced apart from the vacuum opening in the first direction, the plurality of openings are spaced apart from the cannula receiving opening in a third direction; positioning the proximal end of the elongated tissue cutter inside the tissue specimen collector and above the plurality of openings of the removable tissue specimen retaining tray, the elongated tissue cutter extending through the cannula receiving opening of the distal wall portion of the tissue specimen collector; cutting a tissue specimen from a patient with the elongated tissue cutter; and applying a vacuum to the vacuum opening to move the tissue specimen through the elongated tissue cutter and expel the tissue specimen from the proximal end of the elongated tissue cutter onto the removable tissue receiving tray.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing a spray head positioned to be spaced apart and above the vacuum opening in the second direction, with the spray head being above the plurality of openings of the removable tissue receiving tray.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing a spray head facing the proximal end of the elongated tissue cutter, the spray head being positioned to be spaced apart and above the vacuum opening in the second direction, and with the spray head being above the plurality of openings of the removable tissue receiving tray.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing the plurality of openings are spaced apart from the vacuum opening in the first direction and the second direction.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing the plurality of openings are spaced apart from the floor of the tissue specimen collector in the second direction. 